RESNET Partners with the United Way of Long Island and Organic Think to Pilot New Entry Level Credentials for the Home Energy Retrofit Industry

There is an important need for creating a career pathway so that the next generation of RESNET professionals have a way to enter into the fields home energy rating, energy auditing and retrofit contracting.

The United Way of Long Island(UWLI) has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to develop a training and certification program for at risk youth to be prepared to work on the retrofits of homes. UWLI under the grant will develop credentials, standards, curriculum, tests and quality assurance protocols for entry level retrofit technicians and energy auditors for Long Island, New York. The program would be delivered through YouthBuild Long Island. The program provides education and green construction training skills for at-risk youth between the ages of 18 and 24. It is the goal of the effort that UWLI could expand the effort nationally and include returning veterans in the effort. Organic Think has been contracted by UWLI to develop the skills set and knowledge base, training curriculum and specifications for the new certifications.

RESNET, the United Way of Long Island and Organic Think have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding for a pilot program to demonstrate how the effort could fit into setting up of entry levels for the RESNET Rating Field Inspector, Home Energy Survey Professional and Energy Smart Contractor classifications.

The goal of the agreement is to pilot three new RESNET entry level credentials that with training, disadvantaged youth or returning veterans entering into the job market can fill. The new classifications that will be piloted will considered is:

Home Energy Retrofit Technician Level I

Home Energy Retrofit Technician Level II

Energy Field Technician

Through the agreement UWLI and Organic Think will develop and test the following:

Align the proposed new classifications with the U.S. Department of Energy Retrofit Guidelines core competencies, skills and abilities

Investigate developing simulation testing for the proposed new classification similar to what will be used by RESNET for Combustion Appliance Testing

Propose a professional development pathway model for home energy raters, energy auditors and retrofit contractors

If the pilot is successful then RESNET can propose a standard amendment incorporating the new classifications into RESNET Standards.

The United Way of Long Island together with its community partners, advances the common good by investing in and developing programs that address Long Islander’s critical needs in education, housing, income/financial stability and health. Since 1965, the organization has been helping its neighbors who have significant personal and family problems by providing services in collaboration with 113 partner agencies. The organization has an annual budget of $18,500,000 and consistently receives superior ratings from funders.

Organic Think is a family owned green building and energy efficiency consultation and training company. We work mainly with non-profits and educational institutions to provide practical, affordable strategies for improving the built environment. The principal Rob Moody is a RESNET HERS Rater, Quality Assurance Designee and Trainer, LEED AP Homes, U.S. Green Building Council LEED® Faculty™/REGREEN Faculty™ and LEED for Homes Green Rater.

Robert Smith

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